How Is ‘Pale Rider’ Similar to ‘Shane’?
In the 1990s, two Wyatt Earp biopics centered on the gunfight at the O.K.
Corral in Tombstone, Arizona,withKevin CostnerandKurt Russelleach playing the character, albeit interpreting the lawman differently.
Image by Federico Napoli
It pulls from just about every traditional Western idea we’ve seen before yet without feeling too cliched.
It’s all here.
In either case, the townsfolk refuse.
Image via Warner Bros.
Though they share similar plot threads, their leading men are quite different, which produces different results.
InShane, there is no mistaking that the titular hero is a genuine gunslinger with a rough-and-ready past.
If not for the surprise attacker from above, Shane would’ve walked out without a scratch.
Credit: Paramount Pictures
After that, he’s just a hardworking man of the cloth.
Even so, the preacher is saved by Hull in the end, while Shane requires no such salvation.
Eastwoods recommendation led Reynolds to take on a role he would quickly regret.
Image via Warner Bros.
While both film’s love connections end the same way,Shane takes the more honorable approach.
There’s nothing here you won’t expect, and that’s to the film’s benefit.
In some ways,Shaneis the archetypal Western from which all others ultimately derive.
But whilePale Ridercertainly echoesShane’s classical ideals, it factors in a spiritual component that the original lacked.
ThoughPale Riderdoesn’t confirm this directly in the narrative, it masterfully clues us in throughout.
It can be presumed thatthe preacher was brought to Carbon Canyon as an “avenging angel.
Image via Warner Bros.
Only, his work comes directly from a Higher Power, making his victory a sure one.
“A double feature ofShaneand Eastwood’sHigh Plains Drifterwill do just fine, thanks.”
The truth is thatPale Rideris different enough fromShanethat it can’t be considered a direct remake.
If it was, no doubt folks would be disappointed in all the changes.
Pale Rideris available to stream on Tubi in the U.S.
Stream on Tubi
Your Rating
Your comment has not been saved
Cast
